How Advertising, IT Threats, and Web Security Intersect

The virtual world is full of promise, but it’s also full of threats for the uninitiated. And, as hackers get smarter, IT companies have to get smarter as well. Plus, a middle ground for all of these processes ends up solidly in the realm of online advertising.

So, if you’re unfamiliar with any branch of this equation, consider how advertising, IT threats, and web security intersect and interact by thinking about Google AdWords, where companies advertise from, what some different hacking techniques are, how ad blockers work, and why you should always keep your web host updated.

First, Brush Up On AdWords

One of the smarter things you can do to protect your IT infrastructure is to brush up on AdWords and how it works, so that you can see how the bidding and linking process goes. It is a wild west set up of words and money and internal and external linking, and because there is so much motion, though the process is going to be highly regulated, sometimes the actual movement of data isn’t going to be, and that is where some threats lie.

Consider Different Advertising Sources

Any company can advertise or market content, which means that companies with your best interest in mind are in the mix bidding for your time and attention, as well as companies that are essentially trying to scam you. The advertisements all look the same. But, there are some particular kinds of sites that are known for being slightly more shady, like the gambling or dating advertisements for instance.

Look Up Hacking Techniques

And if you look up various hacking techniques, you’ll notice that a lot of them come down to various people fishing for your information. They want email addresses, names, phone numbers, account numbers; things like that. And there are ways to use advertising links to get this information if you’re unaware of how things like privacy settings and cookies and javascript all work in tandem.

Learn About Ad Blockers

Another interesting aspect of current IT security culture is the new prevalence of ad blockers. These are extensions that block the code that ads have on web pages, so that there are no more annoying popups or screens that cover screens that you have to constantly ‘x’ out. These can help smooth your web browsing experience.

Keep Up With Web Host Security Updates

Finally, no matter what industry you’re in, you should always keep up with the latest web host security updates. Hackers will try to find ways into your web site and your web host, though all different sorts of means, and often getting in through advertising code is one way that this is accomplished.